When to plant hyacinths in Punta Arenas: 8 March – end of June

In Punta Arenas, hyacinth: plant from 8 March to the end of June.

Bulbs are best planted early in the window: late-planted bulbs may flower later or less well. Late planting works only while the soil can be dug. Mulch after planting.

The average daily temperature here stays above 0 °C all winter, and at least three months average 7 °C or less: our rule of thumb for the winter cold spring bulbs need. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, UNH Extension, RHS.

Hyacinth in Punta Arenas: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in July; the coldest, July, averages -0.3 °C.

Planting	8 March – end of June
First autumn frost	7 April
Coldest nights	July, -0.3 °C
Soil back at 1 °C in spring	13 July
Daylight	13:05 on 8 March
Daylight at the winter solstice	7:32

The same dates in Punta Arenas hold for Garlic, Tulip, Daffodil and Crocus.

Hyacinth in Punta Arenas: depth, winter cold, pests and pets

Plant hyacinths 10 cm deep, at least 7.5 cm apart (RHS). In the ground hyacinths are fully hardy, but in containers they can be frost tender in cold winters (RHS); here winter nights average below 0 °C, so wrap the pots or move them to a sheltered spot.

In Punta Arenas the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 52 weeks a year (our estimate from ten years of monthly weather). For this bulb Wisconsin Horticulture Extension gives a cold period of 12–15 weeks at about 2–10 °C. The winter here gives that in the ground, so the bulbs need no pre-chilling.

Flowers get smaller in the years after planting: for full spikes, replace the bulbs or add a few new ones each autumn (RHS).

If squirrels are a problem, protect the bulbs with wire mesh (RHS). Hyacinths are toxic to dogs, cats and horses: intense vomiting and diarrhoea (ASPCA).

Sources: RHS, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, ASPCA.

Hyacinth in nearby cities

Around Punta Arenas, Coyhaique is 83 days earlier and Puerto Montt 60 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Río Gallegos	206 km	7 March – end of June	1 day earlier
Ushuaia	250 km	27 December – 18 May	71 days earlier
Coyhaique	848 km	15 December – 25 May	83 days earlier
Comodoro Rivadavia	848 km	by 24 April	47 days later
Trelew	1,177 km	by 29 April	52 days later
Puerto Montt	1,309 km	by 7 May	60 days later

Where to buy hyacinth for planting in Punta Arenas

Planting stock goes into the ground from 8 March to the end of June; buy it before that. Within 15 km of Punta Arenas OpenStreetMap lists 1 market (collected 27 October 2026).

Mercado Municipal de Punta Arenas — market
1 km

Questions